Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma has blamed the the dismal performance in this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon on the absence of three of his key players.
Kenya, debutants at the tournament, was the first team to be eliminated from the competition after losing to Ghana and Mali with an identical score line of 3-1 in their Group B matches at the Limbe Omnisports Stadium.
However, the former Sofapaka coach has confessed the absence of Neddy Atieno, Mwanahalima Adam and Enez Mango, who were ruled out of the tournament due to personal commitments, greatly affected their performance.
“For sure, we have felt the absence of Neddy (Atieno), Mwanahalima (Adam) and Enez (Mango) in this tournament. It was a tall order without them. A player like Neddy is a key pillar in this team; she is tactically superior both defensively and upfront.
“She works tirelessly to ensure that she never loses possession in the prime area of the opponent. This was a problem for us because we could not substitute an impact player when she is missing,” Ouma said.
READ MORE
End of the road for Rising Starlets...
Harambee Starlets hold mini-camp for home-based players
Harambee Starlets drawn in 2026 Wafcon group of death
Odemba ready to lead Starlets into 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations
“It is never easy, but for us we have to soldier on. Impact players always know how to find out their ways even if the situation is difficult, and that’s how player like Neddy was in our team.
“This is something we should keenly look at as we continue building the team. But I would like to thank those players who tried hard to step into those positions at this level,” he added.
Commenting on tonight’s (9pm) fixture against nine-time champions the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Ouma said the team’s psychological state will have a great impact on the outcome of the game.
“Nigeria have vast experience due to their involvement in different tournaments. But being our last match, we are ready to throw in everything we have. Of course the Mali loss was a big setback, but we need to put that disappointment behind us and focus on this final game,” Ouma said.
“I cannot question the technical and tactical abilities of my team. We just need to be in a right frame of mind ahead of this game.”
